Register for postage marking machines



A. H. PITNEY ET AL REGISTER FOR POSTAGE MARKING MACHINES July 17, 1923.

Filed June '7, 1922 2 Sheets$heet 1 4 Sawwtoza July 17, 1923. 1,461,934

A. H. PITNEY ET AL REGISTER FOR POSTAGE MARKING MACHINES Filed June '7,1922 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Patented July 17', 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR H. PITNEY AND JACOB UV. OGDEN, OF STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT,ASSIGNORS TO UNIVERSAL POSTAL MACHINES CORPORATION, OF STAMFORD,CONNECTICUT,

A CORPORATION OF DIEIIAJNAB.E.

REGISTER FOR POSTAGE-MARKING MACHINES.

Application filed June 7,

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR H. PITNEY and JACOB lV. Goons, citizens ofthe United States, residing at Stamford, in the county t Fairlield andState of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Registers for Postage-Marking Machines; and we hereby declare thatthe following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of thisspecification.

This invention is a novel improvement in postage meters and mail markingmachines of the type shown in the Pitney Patents #l,273,793 of July23rd, 1918, Reissue #14,- 916 dated July 13, 1920, and #l,3T(l,668,granted March 8th, 1921.

The object of the present invention is to provide a simple countingmechanism or register, to be attached to mail marking or sealingmachines, for the purpose of printing postage stamps directly on mailmatter and registering the number of pieces so printed. It is designedfor use by merchants, manufacturers, and corporations whose dailymailings do not justify the use of the more elaborately constructedpostage meters such as shown in said patents.

The invention provides a novel and practical device for printing suchrequired in dicia on mail matter as will obviate applying ordinarypostage stamps thereto. and the present necessity of verifying themailers count on each batch of mail and at the same time, with the aidof two ordinary commercial counters, afi'ord ample and adequateprotection to the Postoffice Department; and will make it possible for alarger number of patrons to avail themselves of postage per- Initprivileges, and thereby assist in increasing the efficiency of thedepartment by eliminating a great deal of time consuming labor after themail reaches the posto'flice.

The present invention also is adapted to be used in connection withmachines of the general type shown in Patent 291,370,668, and is to besubstituted therein in place of the so-called meter shown and describedin the aforesaid patent and when so placed in said machine will beoperated by the mechanism of said machine and record the 1922. SerialNo. 566,593.

total amount of the stamps applied by the machine; and also the numberof times the machine is operated after each setting.

The novel register consists of two counters or sets of consecutivenumeral wheels each of which is connected by gearing to the spindlewhich carries the revolving printing die. One of these counters iscontinuous in its action recording each revolution of the die until itslimit (say 9,999,999) is reached, and then commences again at 0. Thiscounter records the total amount of stamps applied. The other counter iscapable of being cleared or set back to zero at any time and is used tokeep a record of the number of impressions made. The key by which theclearingof the latter counter is accomplished is held by the post oiiiceby which the permit is granted.

In the accompanying drawings we have illustrated one form of mechanismembodying our invention, and an understanding thereof will enable othersto adopt and use the invention, but we do not consider the inventionrestricted to the specific devices shown as changes may be made thereinwithin the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims;to which we refer for summaries of the essentials of the invention andnovel combinations of parts for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the detachable printer and register.

Fig. 2 is a side view thereof.

Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3-3, Fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view on the line ll Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 55 Fig. 4.

In the construction shown the register consists of a hollow base member1 closed by a bottom plate 1 and having formed with or securely attachedthereto a standard 1 having an arm 1 on its upper end in which is formedan upper bearing 1 for the spindle 2"" of the printer 2 hereinafterreferred to and in the upper plate of the base is formed a lower bearingi for said spindle. The lower side and one end of the base is closed bya slide plate 1 which engages suitable guide grooves in the side Wallsof the base plate 1 and which when pushed into its proper place islocked in position by r1 1 actuated pawl 1 which is pivoted on t. Iverse rod 1 in the base and is pressed engagement with a notch in theplate spring 1 as shown in Fig. l. therel tually locking the plateagainst re The said latch is inaccessible when the l is slid home andcan only be disen by making a hole through the plate .1 by eitherdestroying it or evidencing tan ing therewith.

The printer 2 may be of any suitable construction, and is neferably suchas de' scribed in my aforesaid patent. is mounted upon the spindle 2 androtated thereby. The spindle t l (l-QPGDClr; lite the base and has onits lower end. i iin the hollow base 1 a gear 9 h mg; a hub :2" providedwith a notch 2 which notch is ada'p ed to be engaged by a tooth 66" on alever 66 pivoted on a pin 6? in the base. at one side or the gear, saidlever havii an elongated slot through ii'hich the hub of the gear 2passes. The -tree end Oil leve 66 is adapted to he engaged by a sp ring;6; a pin 69 mounted. in the casing and nor sly pressed outwardly to holdthe tooth 6G in engagement with the notch the outer end of the pin 69lying inside the end Wall of the base 1, as indicated in Fig. 3. Thislatch 66 is adapted to locl the spind. e again t rotation Wren the regir:er is removed :lfi marching but when the register is placed in amachine like that shown in li -y laid patent a pin on the machine (notshown in the drawings) engages the pin and pushes it back suilicientlyto osc late latch. lever 66 and disengage tooth (56' Join gear 2 thusfreeing the spindle in the manner in which the printer is released. asetspleii ed. in my aforesaid patent.

To the lower end of the spindle 2 is at tached a coupling member all hawinp; a tongue 47 to engage av corresponding: slot in a. coupling memberon the drive shaft of the printing machine to which lhe device attached,as shown in my Patent l 370.667., so that the spindle will be rotatedonce for each printing operation of said machine. as explained 1n saidpatent. A bloclc 12 1t lastened by screws to the bottom of the base ftto receive the lower end. of the spindle and.

also act as an end stop to the plate l as in said patent.

hilounted upon the base 1 at the side of bracket 1 opposite the spindleis a cash l. which is preferably made oi metal and is closed at topsides and outer end... and its end is closed by the vertical portion ofthe bracket 1, adjacent the printer. This ing is fastened by screws 3 tothe base. 1 and as these. screw are only ac Within the base ll. andthiii:etrx

cannot he l r1 place and has two l ter the plate 1. is put ribed. Thecas- A and 3 in its the nuu'icrals appearing .cr or coupler 5. nd subube rcspii-ir i sly sla n.

o-totalinn counter (l 3 an end er-1- t l 10. i

lci'isii'iii G which is closely. 'l'ted into a small ope" u outer endMall of the c; sing f; r rnii (3 to b biz-sorted into he cyluu r ol orbarrel of the sub l counter. u icrcoy the numeral WhQGlS we counter imay be wt to were when de- 5 am t3 ma; be of any suite ructio ustratedill purchased with nucoin in the hiari rchi iiicriil Wheels and from onewheel manner. The co sible and is oi? operations. rotations. of the Thecounter (i can be reset at the person he i i! 1 ll e proper liey (3,

m loci-z and. l islcr o is adapt- .II' or ind i beixornied b) the:iiachine for l fill u 11d of 1 i 1 o and b lilfilldttlti on a Within lcas ng: 2. an to t plate 1, the not l. ble after place. The counters are2 devices :l rom llw spindle are comil'crs ore riqiiill'ane by the meansillustrated in i As shown. the i'llliillf 7 has a worm gear 5" on itshalt. icsliimr with a worm 5" mounted on a spini c 53 iol rnaled in theframe 7 lo lhe inside oi the -.vorin 5, and spindle 5 has :1 pinion 3"on its lower end i slllllg' with a gear 7 mounted on a spindle journaledin the base i. 'lhe shaft oi the coimi'cr (i has a worm gear 6" meshingwith a worm 6 on. a spindle G journaled in the ilramc i to the inside ofthe \i'ori'u gear and spindle ll" has a pin on on ils ldwrl' ci'ulmeshing with the near The spindle 7 extends iulo the ase i. and has a.gear 1' on its lower end meshing with an. intermediate grew 1. iouri.tied on. a, stud Q in the base i. said. internedlate near 5% directlyincshinc with the ratcl'ie'l'. l.

eased paw F3" to prevent the counturned backward anv adapted lorcgii-iter the total.

When constructed and arranged as described all the interior workingparts are inaccessible and the attachment can be handled a unit and canbe applied to a postage mail marking machine such as shown in my Patent#LB'TQGGS by removingthe meter trom such machine and inserting thisattachment in its place. The base 1 ot the attachment should be made tocorrespond in size and term with the socket or receptacle in the machineto which it is to be applied. in the example shown the base l of theattachment corresponds in shape and size to the base 4.1 of the metershown in said patent and theretore said attachment can be substitutedthat machine for the meter shown in said patent; and when so substitutedthe pin 69 would be pushed inward by the pin on said machine (describedand shown as 8 in said patent), thereby releasing the spindle. and atthe same time the rib 4-7 on the spindle will engage the re latedcoupling member in said machine (described and shown as 20 in saidpatent). so hat the spindle 2 of the attachment will be operated just asthe spindle oi. the printer as described in said patent.

When removed from the machine the spindle 52 is locked automaticallyagainst "further rotation by the latch lever 06 entranin ggear 2 and theregister cannot be tampered with. hen the meter is in position in themachine the register 6 will show up the operations performed by themachine between one time of inspection and another; while the register 5will show the total number of operations which are pcrt'ormed by themachine.

Permits to mail matter without stamps atiixed are new granted by thePost Ottice Department, as provided by present section '159 Postal Lawsand Regulations. Paragraph .5, section (0,) provides that the postmastermay receive from the mailer a deposit oi money in advance (for which aspecial. receipt shall be given) suilicient to pay for more than asingle mailing. lhe deposit shall be charged with the proper amount oi"each mailing but it the amount in hand is not su'tiic-ient at any timeto cover the postage due on the entire mailing. the excess shall be helduntil an additional deposit is made.

The regulations also provide that all mail matter presented tor mailing:without stamps aihsed. and on which the required indicia has not beenprinted by a device having mechanism that may he set for designatednumber o't impressions showing the amount, of postage paid and which.atter the en;- haustion of such number of im 'ircssions, automaticallylocks itself so that no further impressions can be made. until themailer has brought the printing or numbering head or meter to the postotiice and has had the postmaster re-set the mechanism for a givennumber of impressions, the amount of postage to cover the number of suchimpressions to be paid at the time the device is set-- shall bedelivered at a place designated by the postmaster where the mailerscount or statement of mailing verified. This can be done with the aid ofa cancelling machine, to which a counting device is attached. at or theink roller has been removed. It a canceilingmachine is not available thematter presented must be counted by hand. As both these methods ofverifications require time. and have to be performed usually during therush hours of the post oflice. it becomes apparent that the use of theso callcd permit privilege. as applied to first class mail. wouldactually retard instead of e):- pedite its dispatch after reaching thepost oiiice. unless suitable means are provided for printing therequired indicia on the mail and for registering the total number ofoperations performed in any given period of time. and for alsoregistering the total. number of operations and adequately protect thePost Office Department. Our invention providcs a very simple means fordoing this and assists in increasing the efficiency of that depa rtmentby eliminating a great deal of time and labor in preparing the mailafter it is deposited in the post oflice.

The method of operation is as follows:

The mailer, after being assigned a permit number, presents his register,to which the die and post-mark are attached. to the postmasterwith checkor currency as a deposit against which his daily mailing will becharged, it being assumedthat the amount of the deposit will exceed thatof his average daily mailings. 7

Alter rcvreivincthe mono) the postmaster sets the sub-total counter 6back to Zero, and removes and keeps the key, and hands the register backto the mailer. The register is thcn taken to the mailers ollice andplaced on the machine. l lach pieceot mail passing through the machineincreases both counters one unit. The total counter 5 will indicate upto 10.000.000 before it automatically clears to zero. The sub-totalcounter 6 being merely intended to count each mailing. con tiuues toincrease until the end of the day. at which time the device is detachedfrom the machine and taken to the post olhce together with the lastbatch of mail. and a corresponding statement presented to the properclerk who checks the amount indicated on the counter 43 with the amountindicated on the total register 5 and any slips accompanying; previousmailingtor the day. Everything being: found correct the post otiiceothcial takes the key. 6 which the post oiiice retains and sets thecounter 6 back to zero; so that the mailer may rc-start counting hismail at zero the following day, sufficient money being deposited withthe post oflice by the mailer to cover the next daily mailing before thepostal clerlc returns the device to the mailer for further use.

The regulations provide that at any time the amount of prep-' it mailpresented. exceeds the amount Ol. money on de posit, the excess quantityshall he held until an additional deposit is made.

ll hile we have described. the invention as applicable to the postagemeter machines as shown in the litney pat en's aforesaid, it will heobrioxis that the invention could be rcadil adapted for use with othertypes of machines, and there-tore we do not consider the inventionlEHhTlClTC-jl to use with said patented machines.

What we claim is:

1. An attachment for the purpose specified, comprising a base, arotatable printer mounted thereon; a casino; on the base beside theprinter; 2 total counter ands sub-total counter in the casing; gear l t.oe .ween the printer and said counters whereby each counter is turnedone unit for each rotation oi? the printer; and means "tor lockirm theprinter against rotation when the aiaclr ment is removed from the rchine whereby it is operated and tor roles the printer when theattachment placed in the machine.

2. In an attachment for h. in claim 1, key controlled means whereby thesuhtotal counter may be reset without 0 aching the case.

3. In an attachment as set forth in claim 1 a spindle in the'casing: fordriving; each counter; a driving pgea r simultaneously meshbothspindles; and grooming tor operating said driving gear from the printer.

4-. In an attachment as set 'lorth in claim 1. each counter raving); aworm gear on its smrtt: a worm spindle engaging" such ogear; a gearsimultaneously both spindles: and gearing between said and the printer.substmitially as described.

An attachment tor the purpose specified. comprising a hollow base: acasino; mounted thereon; a total counter and. a sub total counterarranged side by side in said. casing: a spindle journaled on said. basehes de the casin a printer carried by said spindle; gear-i .g; betweensaid spindle and each ct the said crn nters: and means whereby thespindle is automatica ly locked when. the device is removed from themachine which operates it and auttunatically released when it is replacd in the no chine.

6. In an attachmcn, set thirlh in claim. 5 key controlled i'oeanswhereby the suhtotal counter may be reset.

7. Tu apparatus set to th in claim 1, a spindle in the casin tor driru:each counter: a driving; near fumultnucously tu eratlngg both spindles:and searing for operating; said driving" gear the ax-urine:

8. In apparatus as set forth in claim 5, each counte having a worm gearon its shat"- aworm spindle engaging such gear; a driving: gearsimultaneously operating both spin til and gearing in the hollow basebetween the driving gear and the printer spindle, substantally asdescrbed.

9. n attachment for the purpose specified; comprising a base; arotatable printer; casing on the base; a pair of counters in the casing;a worm gear on each counter shait; a worm spindle engaging each wormgear; a driving: gear in the'cnsin; simultaeously operating bothspindles; and gearing in the base for actuating said driving; gear fromthe printer spindle.v substantially as described.

1.0. In an attachment as set forth in claim 9, key controlled meanswhereby one of the counters may be reset.

11. In an attachment as set forth in claim 9, a plate for closing thehollow base and preventing access to the gearing or casing; and meansfor indctachably securing said t late in closed position.

1S2. ln attachment for the purpose specified, comprising; a base.v arotatable member mounted thereon; a total counter and a subtotalcounter; means whereby each counter is turned one unit for each rotationof the member: and JGHIIS for locking the member against rotation whenthe attachment is removed from. the machine whereby it is operated. andfor releasing the member when the attachment is placed in the machine.

1 In an attachment as set forth in claim 12 hey controlled means wherebythe subtotal. counte may be reset without opening the case 14 In anattachment as set forth in claim '12. a spindle in the casing fordriving each counter; a driving gear simultaneously meshing bothspindles; and gearing for operating said driving gear from the saidmember.

15. In an attachment as set forth in claim 12, each counter having aworm gear on its shaft; a worm spindle engaging such gear; a gearsimultaneously operating both spindles; and rearing between said gearand the member, substantially as described.

16. An attachment for the purpose specilled. comprising a rotatableprinter; a total counter and a sub-total counter; means i hereby eachcounter is turned one unit for each rotation of the printer; and meansfor 18. In an attachment as set forth in claim 16, a spindle in thecasing for driving each counter; a driving gear simultaneously meshingboth spindles; and gearing for 5 operating said driving gear from theprinter. 19. In an attachment as set forth in claim 16, each counterhaving a worm gear on its shaft; a worm spindle engaging such gear;

ARTHUR H. PITNEY. JACOB W. OGDEN.

a gear simultaneously operating both spindles; and gearing between saidgear and the In testimony that we claim the foregoing

